The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1887-12-23
CRY COUNCIL.
Sewer Matter Flxed--Falr Assooia-
ton Property Purchased--Other
Matters.

1
The regular meeting Of the council
was ed Monday night. Vice President
tIoerr presiding in the absence Of the
Mayer, and all Of the aldermen answer
Ing TO their names except Mr., Alberger.
The minutes OF the preceding meeting
were read and approved.
PETITIONS AND APPLICATIONS.
Postmaster Cannon asked that the city
put mp twenty EIGHT posts for letter box
es. The street committee was author
lied to put up the posts.
A petition signed by large number of
prominent citizens was received asking
that the city purchase the personal
property formerly owned by the South
ern Minnesota Live Stock and Fair As
ISOLATION from Mr., W, NJ. Farr for $3.50.
A motion to purchase the property at
the price stated brought out long dis
cussion, during which Aid. Wood stated
that the Fair Association would pay a
rental for the grounds and would keep
the property in repair, The motion was
carried, 8 to 4.
Superior Hose Co., No. 2, was granted
permission to hold dance in the City
Hall on the evening of Dec. 80.
An affidavit was received from the
sewer contractors stating that their in
debtedness was 81, 800. %, including 81
479 81 for labor and 81 ,9l9.3l for mater
ial. Attorney shissler appeared before
the council and stated that he represent
ed fifteen or twenty sewer laborers, who
had claims against the contractors ag-
gregating 5000, and ranging from $25 to
$50 each, and that many of the men were
in suffering condition from lack OF
money. He asked the council to take
some action to relieve their sufferings.
The city attorney was called upon for
his opinion as to what could be done in
the matter by the city, and he stated
that the whole trouble was due to the
system of letting contracts now in vogue
in this city, and pointed out its defects,
He reviewed the case from the begin
ming, and said that 81 1868 was due the
contractors, deducting the fifteen pei
cent. held back by the city. He thought
that the men would have to be paid pre-
rata, and that the balance would have tc
be paid by the bondsmen, according tC
the charter. In answer 10 questions i
was brought out that s., 390.65 had beer
| paid the contractors on their contrac
amounting to about $l2, 000,) and tina
S95l. 20 was held back on the fifteen pei
cent. retained by the city. The amour
of the estimates due the contractors wa
A per cent. of the debts of the contrac
tors.
r A resolution passed, unanimously
authorizing the city engineer to pay thu
claims against the contractors with thu
amount due them, pro rata. larg'
number o. sewer laborers were present
and this solution of the problem of thei
wages was received by them as the hes
thing that could be done under the cir
, cumstances. While they now receiv
; but "A cents on the dollar, the balanc
will be forthcoming later.
: REPORTS OF COMMITTEES.
The committee on markets reporte,
a against the removal of the market fror
t Cherry street, near j. G. Rollers plac
s of business. Report adopted.
The fire committee reported that tn
p new hose had arrived and was satIsfaC
!, tory. Prices of chemical engines wer
: read, ranging from $3.50 for a 30 gallon
. engine to 5000 for 100.gallon engine
/ The committee was still figuring on tn
E matter. The fire marshal recommend
ed two fifty-gallon engines instead Q
. one 1OO-gallon engine. The latter wa
3 too heavy to handle.
e The committee on city property rec
commended that the Minnesota rive
I bridge be Immediately replanked. Th'
a CITY engineer was instructed to examin,
3 the bridge thoroughly, and report at tn
, next meeting.
An estimate of $500 was voted t.
g Contractor Jefferson on the reservoi
: contract, providing he pay all of his bill
to the satisfaction of the city engineer.
d The committee on ways and mean
asked for authority to borrow 5000 70
city purposes. Granted.
The sewer matter was again taken up
and Contractor Williams stated that h
could not continue work, as the pip
, was held by an attachment and becaus
he was afraid that he could not get mel
to work for him. A motion was carries
ordering that the bondsmen of the con
e tractors be notified that if they do no
5 commence to finish up the work by Jan
I'd the city will go ahead and finish tn
: sewer.